I can only imagine what would have happened if my parents would have given me access to a big chunk of money when I was still young.

I used to be really good at blowing my money on crap that I didn’t need, so I’m sure anything they would have saved would have been gone in an instant.

Sound familiar for any of you?

This is just one of the many reasons why custodial accounts were created.

If your scared that your child will blow through their savings, here’s what you need to know about custodial account rules.

Basically, a custodial account is established to protect the financial assets given to a minor child. In most cases, the account is created by the child’s parent or legal guardian for one of two functions.

Some custodial accounts can be established to make sure the child has sufficient resources throughout his or her adolescence. Other custodial accounts are created to cover educational expenses after high school graduations.

Additionally, the account can be established to provide a good financial foundation during the child’s adult life.

Custodial Account Rules

While there are multiple reasons that a parent or legal guardian may have to open a custodial account, the process to begin is the same. The account can be opened at a brokerage firm, a mutual fund company, bank or any other type of financial institution. An adult is assigned to manage the account until the child reaches the age requirement for to have full access to the account. Depending on state legislation, the age range to grant access can be between 18 and 21 years. This is known as the age of majority and the age can be over 21 based on state legislation and specific circumstances.

Additionally, the custodian of the account must approve any transactions that the minor may want to conduct on the account. Investments are allowed but must be limited to mutual funds or similar financial products.

Role of the Custodian

Custodial accounts originated with the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act (UGMA) of 1956 where a custodian is designated to manage the account until the child reaches adulthood. The parent or legal guardian can act as the custodian or name another adult to serve in this capacity. Generally, the custodian’s role is to manage the assets of a custodial account to buy, sell and/or reinvest earnings. If necessary, the custodian can withdraw money from the account when it benefits the child.

The law requires that all assets in a custodial account be used only to benefit the minor child.

Clearly, the expectation is that the custodian will never use the money for personal interests. Paying expenses that are unrelated to the child’s interest is prohibited.

If the custodian is also the legal guardian or parent, they should get expert financial advice on the appropriate use of the funds. There are allowed distributions that may apply. In general, the account cannot be used to pay for daily expenses that the guardian or parent is legally obligated to cover.

What Happens to Investment Income?

The dividends, interest and earnings from investment income is considered income for the child. Tax rates are based on the child’s tax rate through age 18. Currently, when the child is under 18, the first $1,000 in the account is not subject to federal taxes.

This rule also applies if the child is under 24 and a full-time student. The child’s tax rate applies for amounts between $1,001 and $1,900. Anything above $1,900 receives the parent’s marginal tax rate up to 35 percent.

2013 Custodial Account Tax Rates

Yearly Income ( Earned & Unearned)

Child's Age

Amount of Income

Applicable Federal Tax Rate

Under 19 years ( or if full-time student, under age 24)

Earned Income ( any amount)

Child's Tax Rate

$0 to $1,000 Unearned income only

Tax free if child has no earned income

$1,001 to $2,000 unearned income only

Child's tax rate if child has no earned income

Above $2,000 and unearned income only

Parent's marginal tax rate (35% max) if child has no earned income

19 years and over (or if full-time student, age 24)

All earned and unearned income

Child's tax rate

Ownership of the Custodial Account

The assets of the custodial account are owned by the child for whom the account was created. While it is true that the child does not control the account until he or she meets the age requirement, the child is the legal owner from the start. Typically, assets are placed into the account as a gift for the child.

Legally, this completes the transaction and a person cannot take the property back at a later date. The same rule applies to any income that generates from the assets, i.e. stocks, mutual accounts.

529 Plans Vs. Custodial Accounts

Establishing savings plans for your kids basically comes down to two options: custodial accounts or 529 plans. There are many differences between the two, but here’s the main ones I point to people who are interested:

With 529 plans, the owner (usually the parent) is always in charge of the money even after the child turns 18. This is huge for a lot of parents.

The 529 plans must be used for college or college related expenses (think room and board, books, supplies). Custodial account has no restriction on what the money can be used for.

If the money inside the 529 plan is used for the above mentioned expenses, the owner will not have to pay any income tax when cashing out the funds.

Custodial accounts offer a lot more flexibility with the investment choices (brokerage, high yield savings, etc.). 529 plans are usually mutual funds that are pre-selected by the states plan that you choose.

Overall, if saving for college is your prime goal, I would suggest the 529 plan over the custodial account. If you don’t want your child to feel like the money has to be used for college, then go with the custodial account.

Termination of the Custodial Account

Custodial accounts terminate when the child reaches the specified age according to state law. The type of transfer may also determine when the account terminates. A parent or legal guardian could designate an age that is different from state law.

For example, state law may require account termination when the child turns 18 years old. However, the creator of the account may specify termination at age 21. Once the account terminates, the child has free reign on how to use the assets of the account.

There are also legal guidelines if the child dies before the account terminates. Typically, the custodian cannot allocate how the assets are distributed. The custodial account becomes part of the child’s estate and must be distributed according to estate laws.

Reader Comments

Elizabethsays

Looking for information. Exxon 100 shares purchased for infant that has now reached matured age of 21 finds out that the divorced parent named as custodian and who did not have full custody of child has utilized all funds for his personal debt. Funds that the child thought he would have for his college education. No funds were ever used for benefit of child….is this a crime?

My children’s father, and my ex- husband, recently passed away. His old employers put together a 529 plan in Nevada, and there is a substantial amount of money in it. I believe that my ex brother n law is in charge of it, and I have no access or knowledge of anything to do with it. I have tried to reach out and find out anything about it, but was told I do not have any privileges to know anything. I have 3 kids, with no life insurance. As I need to plan their future, how do I find out about the 529 plan ? Also, I have officially become the executor of my ex- husband’s estate.

I think custodian account is a great opportunity for parents to help children manage their personal finance and save up for the education! Another good idea might be to complement the custodian account with an automatic savings program so that children could contribute part of their personal money towards future financial goals. In that case parents may reward children for example by matching their savings.. Children’s involvement into building up their custodian account will increase their financial responsibility.

Jeff, I am a little unsure of what is the exact benefit of creating a custodial account, other than a small tax benefit. It seems that you can just as well gift your child money at whatever point in their lives you see fit, bypassing the hassle of creating a separate custodial account altogether. Perhaps I’m missing something here…

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